Rucchin Makes Frustrating Return

Center Steve Rucchin’s return to the Duck lineup Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils was one he would like to forget.

Unlike many of his teammates, Rucchin at least had an excuse for his lackluster play during the Ducks’ 7-1 loss. Wednesday was Rucchin’s first game after being sidelined for three in a row because of a groin strain.

He centered the Ducks’ second line, but was powerless to stop the Devils’ onslaught on goaltender Guy Hebert or counter with goals against New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur.

“I felt better,” Rucchin said when asked about his groin. “I’m just very, very frustrated right now. You want to help the team win and sometimes it’s a challenge physically. I have to do what I can. I’ll look for better things this weekend.”

“It’s up to us to get back on track,” Rucchin said. “It’s very, very disappointing. It’s up to the 25 guys on the team to get our game back.”

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Coach Craig Hartsburg cut his postgame remarks short for the first time this season, saying, “That’s it. Maybe you can get some answers from the players. They played the game.”

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Left wing Jim McKenzie suffered a cut near his right eye during a lopsided first-period fight against New Jersey’s Sheldon Souray. At first, it appeared McKenzie injured his right hand punching Souray repeatedly in the head.

The injury was caused by the rough fabric of Souray’s jersey rubbing the skin beneath McKenzie’s eye. It’s similar, but not as serious, to an injury that sidelined McKenzie for five games in January.

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The Ducks agreed to terms with goaltender Gregg Naumenko on a multi-year contract. Naumenko, 22, was 11-13-5 in 29 games as a freshman this past season at Alaska Anchorage. He had a Western Collegiate Hockey Assn.-leading 2.31 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.